Variability Pattern for Resistance to Purple Blotch (Alternaria porri ) Disease of Onions (Allium cepa L.) in North Western Nigeria

Five onion cultivars Red Creole, Kaharda, Koumassa, Sokoto local and ori were selected on the basis of diverse genetic backgrounds with respect to resistance to Alternaria porri (Ellis.) Cif. The cultivars were crossed in a complete diallel, the 25 F1s generated and their parents were evaluated in replicated yield trials at Sokoto in Sokoto State and Talata Mafara in Zamfara State, Nigeria, during the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 dry seasons. The experiments were laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of the variance component for the combined seasons and locations indicate that genotypic variance was greater than the environmental variance for all characters under  consideration with exception of bulb weight. Disease incidence recorded 31.20%, 30.58% and 5.42% as phenotypic, genotypic and environmental coefficients of variability. Disease severity recorded 34.96%, 32.84% and 11.00% as phenotypic, genotypic and environmental coefficients of variability. With respect to fresh bulb yield 94.90%, 93.53% and 15.78% were observed as phenotypic, genotypic and environmental coefficients of variability for the genotypes. Cured bulb yield recorded 103.47%, 102.27% and 14.96% respectively as phenotypic, genotypic and environmental coefficients of variability. Similarly 29.43%, 24.79% and 17.91% were observed for days to maturity, as phenotypic, genotypic and environmental coefficients of variability. Variability was found to exist among the genotypes for the various characters they were evaluated for.Keywords: Variability, Resistance, Purple Blotch, Disease, Onion

Influence of Bacillus megateriumand pH on the solubility of Sokoto rock phosphate in soil

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Feeding of Kargo (Piliostigma reticulatum) to Small Ruminants in Jigawa State: A Preliminary Study

A survey was conducted to investigate the use of Kargo (Piliostigma reticulatum) as feedstuff for small ruminants in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 structural questionnaires were administered to randomly selected livestock rearers in six Local Government Areas of Jigawa State during the months of October to May (dry season) of 2013. The results obtained showed that the respondents examined vary in age group from 11 years to above 61 years with majority being within the ages of 31- 40 years (42.72%). Male respondents constituted 64.08%. Almost all the respondents had some form of education and their experience in small ruminant rearing vary from 1 year to 40 years. Majority of the respondents (81) encountered had a flock size (21-40) which constitute 78.64%. Livestock species kept by the respondents vary from sheep alone 14.56% to those that kept goat alone 23.30%, while those that kept both sheep and goat were the majority 62.14% among the respondent encountered and 41.74% fed Kargo as sole feed during dry season. However, majority of the respondents 66.02% fed their animals Kargo leaves and Kargo pods, whilst 21.36% fed Kargo leaves alone, and 12.62% fed Kargo pods only. The study concluded that farmers had some level of awareness on the potential value of Kargo as feedstuff for small ruminants and therefore recommended that they should be enlighten on it nutritive value. Keywords: Jigawa State, Kargo, Small Ruminants, and Utilization

Evaluation of the efficiency of constructed activated carbon for the treatment of abattoir wastewater

In Sub-Saharan Africa, effluents from abattoirs that contain dissolved suspended particles which could be either organic or inorganic are discharged untreated into rivers and lakes. Activated carbon filters can be employed in the process of removing these organic compounds from effluent, thereby making the water suitable for discharge or use in other processes. 5 liters of abattoir wastewater was used for this study, during which two different synthesized activated carbon from sawdust ACC and ACH were employed as filters for the treatment of abattoir wastewater, and thus physico-chemical, heavy metal and microbial analysis were conducted. Activated carbon used was synthesized by means of physicochemical activation of waste sawdust and later heated at 250oC, the material was chemically activated using a base calcium chloride, ACC and an acid phosphoric acid, ACH, respectively. It was found that the maximum percent removal of turbidity, pH, Alkalinity, BOD5, COD, TSS and Chloride ions were 88%, 16.4%, 0%, 89.5%, 95.2%, 96.9% and 81.9% for ACC and 99.8%, 20%, 22.9%, 92.2%, 96.2%, 97.9% and 80.8% for ACH. An increase in DO was observed at 51.1% and 53.3% for ACC and ACH respectively. It was concluded that the constructed ACC has better performance than that of ACH for most However, ACH presented better performance especially for the removal of dissolved solids. There is a need to dope activated carbon with nanoparticles for the treatment of abattoir wastewater

Effects of column fractions on the leaves extract of Bridelia ferruginea on bacteria

Bridelia ferruginea is extensively used in Nigeria traditional and folk medicines to cure various human ailments. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant parts revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The in vitro antibacterial studies were carried out on both crude extracts and fractions obtained after column chromatography against medically important bacterial strains including; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for different concentrations of 30mg/ml, 60mg/ml, 90mg/ml, and 120mg/ml. The results of antibacterial assay revealed that both crude extracts and fractions showed good inhibitory activity against all the tested bacteria compared with standard antibiotics. The active fractions gave four spots on the Thin Layer Chromatogram. The detection of other metabolites coupled with antibacterial activities of the plant calls for further work on the plant and its active compound towards development of new drugs for the benefit of humanity.Keywords: Bridelia ferruginea, phytochemical, crude extract, antimicrobial activity, zone ofinhibitio

Digital Preservation, Accessibility, and Use of Electronic Theses and Dissertations in University Libraries in Nigeria

This study examined the concepts and aspects of digitization; digital preservation; digital resources; and access to, use of, and challenges posed by electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) in university libraries in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. It adopted a documentary research approach to highlight a critical examination of the various aspects of digitization (to provide electronic information services) as practiced by various university libraries and some library schools in Nigeria. Print theses and dissertations (T/Ds) are digitized by document scanning or direct text input (alphanumeric characters) into computer systems. Digital resources include e-books, e-journals, ETDs, and other forms of documents in electronic formats. ETDs are preserved through digitization, archiving, and creation of websites and databases as well as through floating institutional digital repositories (IDRs). ETD access is facilitated by tools such as automated library catalogs and classification schemes, online public access catalog, indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, and mobile devices such as smartphones and personal computers. ETDs are capable of meeting research and publication needs of teaching, information service delivery, and knowledge sharing. Challenges to digital preservation, access, and use of ETDs include inadequate information and communications technology (ICT) facilities, low ICT proficiency, and erratic power supply. Thus, this study recommended that management teams of universities in Nigeria commit adequate funding to procure ICT facilities, thus providing automatic standby generating plants and increasing incentives for library and digital preservation staff. Collaboration among stakeholders such as university libraries and the National Library of Nigeria should be encouraged to create a national union catalog of T/Ds in Nigerian universities and thus enable a platform for a national database. Access to IDRs will further strengthen worldwide university networking. This study will thus add value to the existing studies on ICT application in university libraries and e-resources in university libraries in Nigeria

Blood pressure and heart rate adjustment following acute Frenkel’s ambulatory exercise in chronic hemiparetics stroke survivors: a comparative study

Background: Frenkel’s ambulatory activity has been routinely employed by physiotherapists for rehabilitation of gait coordination, however, its immediate influence on blood pressure and heart rate has not been investigated.Objective: To investigate the acute effect of Frenkel’s ambulatory activity on blood pressure and heart rate of chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors.Method: Using a comparative study design, 60 chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors of varying onset of stroke, ≤6, >6-11 and ≥12 months were subjected to a 2-minute Frenkel’s ambulatory activity on marked footsteps (from standard adult described footsteps). Participants were assessed for both blood pressure and heart rate before and after the Frenkel’s ambulatory activity.Results: Blood pressure and heart rate significantly increased (p<0.05) following Frenkel’s ambulatory activity in all the 3 categories of stroke onset above baseline. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) across the onsets in both blood pressure and heart rate responses.Conclusion: The outcome of this study indicated that Frenkel’s ambulatory activity has the propensity to increase blood pressure and heart rate of hemiparetic stroke survivors irrespective of the onset of stroke. We recommend a pre, within and post-activity monitoring of stroke survivors while subjecting them to Frenkel’s ambulatory activity.Keys words: cardiovascular, ambulatory activity, strok

Utilization of Wastes as an Alternative Energy Source for Sustainable Development: A REVIEW

Generally, the greater the economic prosperity and the higher percentage of urban population, the greater the amount of solid waste produced. Reduction in the volume and mass of solid waste is a crucial issue especially in the light of limited availability of final disposal sites in many parts of the world. To meet the rising demand for energy and to address environmental concerns, a conversion from conventional energy systems to renewable resources is essential. For the sustainability of human civilization, an environmentally techno – economically feasible waste treatment method is very important to treat waste. Several technologies are available for converting solid waste to energy source, ranging from very simple systems of disposing of waste to more complex technologies capable of dealing with large amounts of industrial waste. There are three main pathways for conversion of waste material to energy: thermochemical, biochemical and physicochemical conversion. Therefore, this paper examines how waste can be utilized to produce energy for sustainable development with adequate use of science and technology. It is recommended that, awareness campaign should be carried out to enlighten the general populace on the benefit of utilizing waste to energy source.Keywords: Waste, sustainable development, utilisation, energy source

EFFECTS OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL FACTORS ON SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF THE PHYTOPLANKTON IN NGURU LAKE, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA.

Studies were conducted in Nguru Lake between May 2006 and April 2008 to map temporal changes in phytoplankton composition and attempt to relate these changes to physico-chemical parameters in the ecosystem. Temperature, conductivity and alkalinity showed significant spatial variation. Nutrients showed significant seasonal variation. Twenty five phytoplankton genera were recorded. Green algae (Chlorophyta) were the most dominant contributing 46% of the total biomass followed by blue green algae-Cyanophyta(29%), Bacillariophyta(22%) and Dinophyta(2%). Seasonal changes were observed for the three major plant nutrients total phosphorus (PO­4-P) ranged from 5.2 -9.6mg/l. Total nitrogen (NO3-N) ranged from 2.4-12.8mg/l and sulphates ranged from 1.0-10.1mg/l. wide variations in environmental variables were observed in the lake. Results obtained in this study showed that the lake was undergoing gradual eutrophication resulting in deterioration of water quality, decreased fish yield and subsequent reduced income to the local communities. The eutrophication was further aggravated by increasing human and livestock population. Key Words: Biomass, Nguru Lake, Nutrients, Phytoplankton, Water quality